Learn about the Citizens on Patrol Program

This Thursday, February 2nd, I will host a Fifth District Community Advisory Council meeting at the Perry Hall public library at 7 p.m. I established the Community Advisory Council to bring together civic leaders from Towson, Loch Raven, Parkville, and Perry Hall. The council meets quarterly to discuss legislation and issues of common interest.

The Towson Area Citizens on Patrol.

When planning for this meeting several weeks ago, I thought it would be helpful for Parkville and Perry Hall residents to learn about the Towson Area Citizens on Patrol program. While there are Citizens on Patrol units throughout Baltimore County, the Towson Area COP is by far the largest and best organized. If there is interest in starting a COP program in northeastern Baltimore County, the Towson Area Citizens on Patrol can provide strong insight.

I had no idea when planning this presentation that the area would soon experience a series of burglaries and other crimes.

I have great respect for the White Marsh and Parkville police precincts, which provide constant communication to me, to our state legislators and to community associations. Perry Hall and Parkville are still among the safest communities in eastern Baltimore County. Still, I am extremely concerned about recent events and urge the public to remain vigilant and observant.

A Citizens on Patrol program can help improve public safety. Volunteers learn how to recognize and report suspicious activity, and they often patrol neighborhood streets. But running a COP program can require a lot of work, which is why I have invited the Towson Area Citizens on Patrol program to brief the public on their operations.

Although the Community Advisory Council is targeted to civic leaders, anyone can attend this meeting. For more information, feel free to contact my office at dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov.